Condensing-locomotive.



No. 730,020. PAtE-EN'TBD JUNE z, 1903.1

. D. R. IVETT. GoNDENsING Locolvrolfv.`

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 31. 1902.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

W/TNESSES:

No. 730,020. 4 PATBNTBD JUNE 2., 1903. D. R. IVBTT. GONDBNSINGLocoMoTIvB.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 31, 1902. /v A I0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4f No.700,020. PATENTED JUNE 2,11900.

- D.' R. IVETT. l 0

f dqnnsNsmaf-Locomofrv. 4 AIfPLIOATIGN FILED 001141.31902. v I0 MODEL.vf 6, SHEETS-SERT 5.

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Y Y Irl: Hemus PETERS co., PHOTO-urna. wnswnoon4 0.o.

No. 730,026. v

1 UNiTnD STATES lPatented June 2, 1903.

DANIEL RUBN IVETT, QFVHITEBEAR, MINNESOTA.

CONDENSING-LOCOIVIOTIVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,020, dated J' une2,1903. Application filed October 31| 1902. Serial No. 129,575. (Nomodel.) I

To all-'whom 23T) may'concern/s Beit known that I, DANIEL RUBEN lvn'ri,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of NVhitebear, in thecounty of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented a new andImproved Oondensing-Locomotive,`.of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description. i

My invention relates to locomotives with condensing-engines, althoughthe salient features of the invention may be utiliv'ed in stationary andtraction engines.

ln my present invention the exaust-steam from the valve-chests issubjected tothe action of jets of cold water injected under pressure bypumps supplied with cold water from the ltender or other source. Thepartiallyheated water is mechanically forced back to the tender byanother set of pumps, while any spent steam which may remain aftercondensation is subjected to compression andis forced under Vpressureback into thesteamspace of the boiler.

A locomotive equipped with a condensingengine of my invention isbelieved to be capa'- ble of operation in a way to economize theconsumption of fuel and to minimize the cost of repairs, owing to thefact that it will not be necessary to maintain intense heat inthefire-box., due to the forced draft, which causes the products ofcombustion to' circulate so rapidly as to result in deterioration lofvarious parts of the structure. The several mechanisms which areembodied in the improved engine are disposed in a compact manner, eachof these parts being simple inconstruction and organized in relation toother parts to secure efficiency in the operation of the structure as awhole.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in thecourse of the subjoined description, and the novelty will be definedbythe annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification,

in which similar characters ofrefe'rence indicate corresponding parts inall the figures.

Figure l is a side elevation. ofalocomotive .equipped with condensing-engines of my invention. Fig. 2 is asvertical longitudinalsection,on'an enlarged L scalefrhrough the front part of thecondensing-engine andlo'comotivel boiler,the plane of the section beingindicated by the irregular dotted line l2 2 of Fig.

4 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 55

3 is al vertical transverse sectionon the same scale as Fig, 2, taken inthe plane of the dotted line 3 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is another verticaltransverse section-taken in the plane of the dotted line 4 4 of Fig. 2looking in the '6o direction of the arrow.y Fig. 5 is an enlarged detailsectional elevation through certain parts of the running-gear andillustrating thel pump mechanisms and various other parts contemplatedby this invention. 6 isa sectional elevation through an enginecylinderand its valve-chest, the plane of the section being indicated by thedotted line 6 6 of Fig.4 4; andFig. 7 is a detail section in the planeof the dotted line 7 7 of Fig.'4, illus- 7o trating one of thecompressing-pumps.

A designates the boiler vof a locomotive,

B B the axles having the drive-Wheels B2, and

'IC a part of the framework, these parts being ofthe ordinary or anypreferred construction. 75

The saddle of the locomotive iscast in two halves or members, (indicatedat D D' in Figs. l, 3, and 4.) The saddle members have straight innerfaces disposed in abutting relationasvsh`own by Figs. 3 and 4, andunited 8o in any 'suitable way-as, for example, by flanging the partsand bolting them together. The upper side of the saddle formed by thetwo members is curved to providea seat on which rests 'the front end ofthe boiler A, and -8 5 this saddle on its under side is fashioned to fitupon the frame C, whereby the saddle as an "entirety is adapted to beunited to the front part of the boiler and to the running'- frame inorder to' join the parts substantially 9o together.

E E designate the piston-cylinders of the engines, which cylinders areprovided in the members D D of the saddle. The cylinders are made in thesaddle members by boring 95 the latter to the proper diameter, and theends of these cylinders are closed by heads, (indicated at c in Fig. 6.)In each cylinder operates a piston-head F, having` a suitable packingand attached to a piston-rod f, the-roo front end of which rod works ina closed tubularcap f, which is fixed tothe front head e, while the rearpart of said piston-rod plays in a stuffing-box f2, provided on the rearhead Fig.

of the cylinder. As is usual, the piston-rod is connected with across-head f3, which is slidable in a guideway, and from this crossheadextends a pitman f4, having a crank connection with one of thedrive-wheels B2. (See Fig. 1.)

G G designate the valve-chests, which are provided in the members of thesaddle by boring the latter to the proper diameter, said valve-chestsbeing disposed above the pistoncylinders and connected therewith throughthe steam-passages g g. The ends of each valve-chest are closed bysuitable heads g2, and the front head is provided with a tubular closedcap g3, while the rear head has a stuifing-box g4. (See Fig. 6.) In eachvalve-chest operates a piston-valve, consisting of the piston-rod H andthe heads h 7L, the front end of said piston-valve rod being arranged toplay in the cap g3, while the rear portion of said valve-rod travels inthe stuffing-box g, Live steam is conveyed to the steam-chests in themembers of the saddle by a pipe I, which is carried through the fronttube-sheet a of the boiler into the smoke-box J, from which rises thesmoke-stack J. The pipe I is provided with two branches 17, which areled downwardly along the inner sides of the smokebox J and connect withpipes fi', leading to the inlet-ports G2 of the valve-chests, one ofsaid ports G2 being provided at the middle portion of each valve-chest,so as to supply steam between the piston-heads 7L h of the pistonvalves.Said piston-valves are connected operatively with the rocker-arms G3 byextending the piston-valve rods H rearwardly for suitable distances, andwith these. rockerarms are associated the usual link-motions K. (SeeFigs. l and 5.)

.Each valve-chest G G' is provided with exhaust-ports m m', situatednear the ends of the chest and on opposite sides of the inletport G2,and these exhaust-ports communicate with passages M M. (Indicated bydotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4 and by full lilies in Fig. 3.) Theexhaust-passages are provided in the saddle members D D to extenddownwardly and inwardlyT from the valve-chests to thecondensing-chambers 5 6, the latter being provided in the saddle membersby boring the latter to the proper diameter. These conden sing-chambersare formed in the saddle` members within the vertical planes of thepiston-cylinders and the valve-chests, although the twocondensing-chainbers are separate one from the other.

The members of the saddle are furthermore provided with the cylinders 7S of the com- 7, and the front head is provided with a tubular closedcap 11, while the rear end has a stuffing-box 12, in which is adapted toplay a piston-rod 13, which carries a piston-head 14. Thecompressing-pumps are operatively connected with thecondensing-chambers, and

the piston-heads of said pumps are recipro-` cated by suitablepump-driving mechanism, all as will hereinafter appear.

I will now proceed to describe the construction of the parts employed inthe condensing-chambers, and as these chambers and their parts aresimilar in construction a description of one will answer equally for theother. The chamber 5 or 6 is provided with a bafHe 15, which ispreferably made an integral part of one saddle member and has thepointed shape shown more clearly by Fig. 4L. This bafiie depends fromthe saddle member and the upper part of the condensing-chamber, butthelower pointed end of this baiiie terminates a suitable distance abovethe bottom of the condensing-chamber and a cavity or subchamber 16,which is provided in the saddle member below the condensing-chamber andin communication therewith. Inthe end portions of the condensing-chamberare placed short cylindrical shells 17 18, which are made integral withheads 19, that close the end portions of each condensing-chamber, andthese cylindrical shells are provided with external spiral flanges 20,having one or more convolutions and iit snugly within thecondensing-chamber, so as to provide spiral circiilating-liiassages 21.(See Fig. 3.)

Between the shells and the spiral flanges thereof are disposedcondensing-nozzles 22 23, each of which is provided with an externalflange 24 to engage with an inwardly-projecting flange 24, that isdisposed within' the condensing-chamber, and these nozzles are clampedagainst the flanges of the condensing-chamber by the shells 17 18 on theheads 19, that are bolted to the saddle member. The condensing-nozzlesare disposed on opposite sides of the central bailie 15, and saidnozzles are disposed -to discharge toward each other and toward thebafie, as clearly shown by Fig. 2. Each nozzle may be of conical.tapering form; but, as shown by said Fig. 2, I prefer to provide theinterior part of the nozzle with a series ofsteps or shoulders 25, eachsuccessively smaller than the preceding step, and the inner end of saidnozzle is provided with a contracted jet-orifice 2G.

Within each cylindrical shell 17 or 1S is provided a spray-plate 27, thesame being sceured in any suitable way at the inner portion of the shelland next to the large end ol the condensing-nozzle, and this plate isprovided with a plurality of jet-openings 28, thc ,same arranged aroundthe edge portion of the plate and next to the inner surface of theshell. The spray-plate has an inclined baille 29, which extends towardthe head 19 ol' the condensing-chamber. It will be understood that eachcylindrical shell 17 1SV is provided .spiral flanges and the cylindricalshells in the end portions of the condensing-chamber.

The exhaust-steam from the'ports m 'm' of each valve-chest is coveyed bythe passages M M to the spiral passages 2l of the condenser, and thisexhaust-steam is caused to circulate through `the spiral passages' 21around the shells 17 18, said steam being partially condensed by theinflux of cold water from the pressure-chambers and the rose-plates 31.The steam, the water of condensation, and the cold water from thepressure-chambers find their way into the interior of the shells 17 18through the ports 32, which are provided in said shells at or near thefinner termini of the spiral ribs, and the inflowing steam and water aredirected toward the heads 19 by the inclined baflies 29, at which pointsthe steam and water are exposed to the action of columns of cold waterwhich are supplied directly to the cylindrical casings by branch pipes33. The branch pipes 33 are connected with a cold-water feed-pipe 34,from which rise the two branches 33, that are situated at opposite endsof the condensingchambers, and these branch pipes 33 have short lengths35, whi ch lead into the pressure` chambers 30,whereby the feed-pipe 34is connected operatively with said pressure-chambers 30 and with theheads 19 in a way to discharge cold water under suitable pressure intothe cylindrical shells 17 18 and said' pressurechambers 30. The waterand spent uncondensed steam in the cylindrical shells`17 18 aredischarged under pressure through the contracted jet-orifices 26 of thecondensing-noz- Zles 22 23, and the inilowing columns of water anduncondensed steam are received in the condensing-chamber on .oppositesides of the baiile 15, the latter serving to divide the inflowingcolumns of waterand steam.

. The cold water supplied to the condensingchamber, as well as the waterof condensation, falls by gravity into the subchamber or cavity 16, fromwhence the water is conveyed by an oif-bearing pipe 36, while theuncondensed steam rises in the condensing-chamber on opposite sides ofthe baiiie 15 and `passes into the off-bearing passages 37 38. (SeeFigs. 2 and 7 These passages are provided in the saddle member, so as toextend from each condensing-chamber to one compression-cylinder 7 or 8,and in said passages 37 38 are provided check-valves 39, whichopenfreelyinto the compression-chamber andl are adapted toclose'automatically in away Vto prevent the steam under compression frompassing backwardly through the passages into ythe condensing-chambers.The piston-rod 13 of the compressing-pump operates in the compress- Ying-cylinder 7 or 8 to impart the desired reciprocation to thepiston-head 14, and as this piston-head moves in one direction one ofthe check-valves 39 is closed, while the other check-valve is opened bythe suctioncreated by the movement of the pump-piston, so as to draw inthe uncondensed steam from the condensing-chambersor 6.v From eachcompression-cylinder 7 or 8 leadthe spent steampipes 40 41, which extendthrough the smokeboX J and are united ina short pipe42, the latter beingextended or carried through the tube-sheet a and equipped with adischargenozzlel 43, the latter being normally closed by a gravitycheck-valve 44. This dischargenozzle of the spent steam-pipes lieswithin the steam-spaceof the boiler, and the spent steam which iscompressed in the compressione pumps is discharged under 'pressuredirectly into the boiler, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 2and 7.

O designates an ordinary blast-nozzle,which projects upwardly from thebottom `of ,the smoke-box J, and, as is usual, lies in line with thesmoke-stack J This blast-nozzle communicates with thecondensing-chambers 5 6 in the members of the saddle byverticaljpassages 45, which are separated by an intermediate partition46, the said passages 45 com- IOO municatingwith the condensing-chamberson opposite sides of the baffles 15, as shownk by Fig. 4. In theblast-nozzle O is provided any suitable type of valve 47 shown byFigj2in the form of a damper, and said valve is mounted on a rock-shaft48, extending outside of the smoke-box J, said rock-shaft being providedwith a crank-arm 49, to which is connected an operating-rod 50,'whichleads alongside of the boiler tothe engineers cab, (see Figs. 1, 3, and4,) thus making provision for yclosing. the valve 47 when the engine ist0 be used in its condensing condition. When the valve 47 is closed,thespentsteam after condensation does not have sufficient pressure to openthe valve 47, and is therefore required to pass through the passages 3738 under the suction of the compression-pumps into the piston-cylindersof said pumps; but when the engine is used in its non-condensingcondition and the supply of cold water is cut off to the tank in orderto be forced under pressure to the condensers, and this pump mechanismalso includes means for. drawing the partiallyheated water from thecondensers and forcing the same back to the tender :or otherplace ofstorage. Ik employ two cold-water pumpsl IIO 52, which are suitablysupported on a part of the ruiming-frame C, as shown by Figs. 3, 4, and5, and each pump has the cold-water-feed pipe connected to the lowerpart thereof, said pipe il being supplied by the pump 51 or 52 with coldwaterfor conveying the same to the branches 33 to supply the condenser.A cold-water-supply pipe 53 is also connected with the lower portion ofeach pump 51 and 52, and this pipe 53 is united by a iiexible length ofpipe orhose 5st to a part ot the tender P, (see Fig. 1,) whereby coldwater maybe supplied to the pumps 51 52 and forced under pressure to thecondensers. I also employ a pair of return-pumps, indicated at 55, thesame being disposed in rear of the pumps 51 52 and supported on theframework C. These pumps 55 are connected with the subchambers 16 of thecondensers by the pipes 3G and said pumps are furthermore connected withthe tender by pipes 56 and the flexible hose 57, as shown by Figs. 1 andThe sets of pumps 5l, 52, and 55 are operatively connected with arocking pump-shaft 58, the latter having suitable levers 5E), which areconnected pivotally at (iO with the plunger-rods (31 of the series ofwaterforcing pumps, and this pump-shaft 58 is provided with a dependingarm (52, to which is connected the front end of a pump-driving pitman63, extending rearwardly from the pump mechanism to a crank-pin (il onone axle B of the locomotive. Under some circumstances I may providethis axle B with a crank, as shown by Fig. 5; butil it is desired topreserve the continuity ol' the axle I3 the pump-driving pitman (523 maybe actuated by an eccentric which is suitably provided on said axle B,It will be understood that the crank or eccentric of the axle operatesthe pitman 63 and the arm (52 to rock the shaft 58, which in turnoscillates the levers 59 to actuate the groups of pumps 51. 52 55, andthese pumps thereafter operate to draw cold water from the tender andinject it under pressure into the condenser and to draw thepartially-heated water from the condenser and force the same back intothe tender. The pump-shaft 58 is furthermore provided near its endportions )Vith upstanding arms G5, to which are connected the rear endsof the piston-rods 13 of the compressingpumps 7 8, whereby the shaft 58not only operates the groups of water-pumps, but it also drives thepistons of the compressing-pumps in order to create suction from thecondensers and supply steam to the compressing-pumps, the latter beingoperable to compress the spent steam remaining after condensation and toiorce the same back into the boiler under suitable pressure.

Vhen the engine is used in its non-condensing form, atmospheric airshould be supplied to the compressing-pump cylinders 7 8 in order toprevent the latter from drawing steam from the condensi11g-chambers 5(5, and to accomplish this end I provide airpipes W3 (37, which extendvertically to the compressing-cylinders 7 8. These ai r-pipes 66 G7 areprovided at their lower ends with valves (58, Hhaving arms 69, pivotedto an operating-rod 70, and to this rod is connected the lower portionof an upright lever 71, which is carried on the framework, the upper endof said lever being pivoted to a rod 72, extending rearwardly to thecab, as shown by Fig. 1.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. A condensing-engine having a condensing-chamber incommunication with the exhaust of a valve-chest, a condensing-nozzle insaid chamber, a tortuous circulation-passage in said chamber andarranged to conduct exhaust-steam into the nozzle, means for injectingcold water into the circulation-passage, and means for injecting waterinto the condensing-nozzle.

2. A saddle provided with a condensingchamber having direct connectionwith the exhaust of a valve-chest, comlensing-nozzles disposed in facingrelation within said chamber and discharging into a common exitchamber,circulation -passages surrounding the nozzles and each arranged toconduct exhaust-steam in a tortuous path before admitting the same toone nozzle, and means ior injecting cold water into said passages andthe nozzles.

3. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber incommunication with an exhaust oi the engine, condensingnozzles disposedin said chamber in facing relation, a spiral passage adjacent to eachcondensing-nozzle, and means ior injecting cold water into said spiralpassages and in the path. of steam circulating therethrough.

l. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving communication with an exhaust oii' the engine, cylindrical shellssupported in said condensingchamber and forming therewith spiralcirculating-passages, condensing-nozzles in communication with saidshells, means for sprayingI cold water into said circulation-passages,and means for feeding cold water into the shells.

5. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber,condensing-nozzles in said chamber, shells fixed within said chamber andprovided with flanges arranged to iorm circulation-passages and withports which establish communication between the chambers and saidpassages, means for spraying water into the circulation-passages, andmeans for feeding water into the chambers oi' said shells.

(i, In a condensing-engine the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving communicating therewith a subchamber and pressurechambers,condensing-nozzles having contracted orifices and disposed within saidcondensing-chamber, chambered shells having external flanges formingcirculatioii-passages which communicate withthe chambers of said ICO IIO

' of a condensing-chamber, shells secured therein and formingcirculating-passages therewith, condensing-nozzles within said chamberand communicating with said shells, means for injecting water into thepassages in the shells, and bathe-plates within the shells and inclinedrelatively to the waterinlets thereto.

8. In a con (lensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving condensingnozzles disposed in facing relation, a returnwater-pipe connected with the condensingchamber between said nozzles, afeed-water pipe connected to the condensing-chamber to supply water tosaid nozzles, and independent pumps to which said feed and return pipesvare individually connected.

9. I n acondensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving condensingnozzles, a pump-shaft, independent forcing and returnpumps operatively connected with said shaft, afeed-pipe connected to onepump for supplying water to the condensin g-nozzles, andareturn-pipeconnected to the other pump and to the condensing-chamber ata point between said nozzles.

10. Ina condensing-en gine, the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving condensingnozzles, a pump-shaft provided with an arm, a pitmanconnected with said arm, independent forcing and return pumpsoperatively connected with said pump-shaft to be actuated thereby,feed-pipes connected to the forcingpump and the condensing-chamber, anda re turn-pipe connected to the return-pump and to thecondensing-chamber at apoint between the nozzles therein 1l. In acondensing-engine,the combination with a boiler, of acondensing-chamber, supply and return water pumps connected with said'condensing-chamber, an independent spentsteam compression-pumpoperatively connected with said condensing-chamber to receive spentsteam subsequent to condensation thereof, and means connecting saidcompressing-pump with said boiler to return spent steam under pressureto the boiler.

12. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving nozzles and means for spraying water therein, means for conveyingexhaust-steam to said condensingchamber in the path of the water-sprays,a compressing-pump, valved connectionsV between said compressing-pumpand said condensing-chamber, and means for conveying compressed steamfrom'said pump to a suitable place of storage.

13. In a condensin g-en gine, the combination with a boiler having-asmoke-box, of a condensin gchamber h aving communication with theexhaust of said engine, nozzles within said condensing-chamber, a bafflebetween the nozzles, means-for injecting water into thecondensing-chamber and its nozzles, a compressing-pump, valvedv steam-passages between said pump and the condensing-chamber to receive spentsteam at a point between said nozzles, and connections lbetween thecompressing-pump and steam-space of the boiler.

14. In a condensing-engine, the combination 'of a condensing-chamberhaving` communication with the exhaust of an engine, nozzles within saidcondensing-chamber, means for supplying water to said nozzles, means forconveying water-from the condensing-chamber at a point between thenozzles, a baffle situated within said condensing-chamber betweenv thenozzles, a compressing-pump, a boiler, valved connections between thecom- `ressinrum and the condensing-chamber,-

C p b said conn ections openi-ng into the condensinglchamber at pointsbetween the nozzles and the intermediate baffle, and valved connectionsleading from the compressing-pump to the steam-space of the boiler.A

l5. In a condensing-engine,tl1e combination of a condensing-chamberhaving communication with the eXhaustof an engine, a boiler, ablast-nozzle communicating 4with said condensing-chamber and having acontrollingvalve, nozzles within the condensing-chamber, means forinjecting water intoV said chamber, means for conveying water from thechamber, a compressing-pump, valved connections from thecondensingchamber to said compressing-pump, and other i valvedconnections leading from thecompressingpump to the boiler.

16. In a condensing-engine,the combinationl of a condensing-chamberhaving communication with the exhaustof an engine, a boiler,

Va compressing-pump operatively connected with said condensing-chamberand said boiler, forcing and return pumps connected with thecondensing-chamber to supply water IIO thereto and to draw watertherefrom, land a sinole um -o eratin(r mechanism connected,V

with the compressing pump, the forcingpump and the return-pump.

17. In a condens1ng-eng1ne,the combination of a condensing-chamberhaving communication with the exhaust of an engine, nozzles within saidcondensing-chamber, means for supplying water to said chamber anddrawing it therefrom, a compressing-pump having valved communicationwith the condensingchamber, and air-cocks connected with thecompressing-pump and having means fory controlling the same at will.

1.8. In a condensing-engine,the combination with valve-chests, ofcondensing-chambers connected individually with the exhaust of saidvalve-chests, nozzles within said condensing-chambers, forcing andreturn pumps connected with the condensing-chambers to supply water tothe nozzles thereof and to` In testimony whereof I have signed mylraw'water from points between said nozzles, name to Ihis specificationin the presence of :i boiler and compressing -pumps having twosubscribing Witnesses.

valved connections with the condensing- DANIEL RUBEN IVETT. 5 chambersand with said boiler, :ind e pun1p- Vitnesses:

sliefr operatively connected with said series J. M, KING,

of pumps. VILLIAM E. SPINK.

